Chapter 4: Connecting the Dots: Breakdowns, Budgets, and Finance

________ are simple, cartoon- like sketches of each scene in a script.

All ________ and production companies protect themselves with a Comprehensive General Liability insurance policy that includes liability and workers compensation.

Every ________ is a compilation of scenes, and each scene has certain requirements that cost money.

Casting involves both ________ and extras.

State and ________ offer funds for projects that fit their grants requirements.

________ that protects the production against lawsuits involving authorship and copyright issues such as:

________ might air a special or a series that is partially or fully sponsored by a public or private foundation.

________ are generally assumed to be professionals with experience.

________ are not necessary for each project, but they can be useful organizational tools.

one-third upon signing a contract or deal memo, one-third on completion of principal photography, and the final one-third when the project is completed

you could lose everything from one lawsuit

• Examine each aspect of your project

• Give it a face

• Assign its job descriptions and a set of parameters

• Refer to the comprehensive budget template

• Research budgeting software programs like Movie Magic Budgeting or EP (Entertainment Partners)

• Solid research

• Cost comparisons

• Studying other producers’ budgets

• Talking to people with budgeting experience

• Practice

• A small two-man crew

• A large team with other producers

• Writers

• Director

• Actors and talent

• A substantial production crew

• Heads of key departments

• Lawyers

• Insurance agents

• Accountants

• Public relations

• Representatives

• Preproduction

• Production

• Postproduction

• Above-the-line

• Below-the-line

• Legal fees

• Accounting service

• Insurance premiums

• Taxes

• The contingency that covers unforeseen costs

• Discipline

• Ingenuity

• Experience

• Patience

• School-sponsored grants, awards, and sponsorships

• Private investors like friends and family

• Professional business investors

• Festivals

• Public and private foundation grants

• Video and audio equipment

• Allotments of video stock

• Editing equipment

• Graphics tools

• Music libraries

• Possibly extra student labor

• Van or car rentals

• Travel

• Meals

• Software programs

• Original music

• Stock music

• Stock footage

• No-fee location

• Food and beverages from a restaurant or grocery store

• Vehicles

• Software

• Supplies

• Film or digital stock

• Legal and accounting services

• Databases and computers

• Telephone and Internet

• Post-production facilities

• Sold for cash

• Returned for refunds

• Exchanged for services

• The location of one character in relation to another

• The framing

• The surroundings

• The colors or lighting in a scene

What the producer thinks a budget item will cost

What the item actually ends up costing

• Make phone calls

• Research online sources

• Compare prices

• Talk to other producers

• Keep up with the industry trends

• Expanding your script

• Research

• Location scouting

• Doing a script breakdown

• A producer can often negotiate with providers of goods and services, simply by giving them an acknowledgment in the end credits of the program

• To save money, a producer might offer a deferred payment to some or all of the people involved

• This means that when (or if) the project eventually makes money, all who agreed to defer their salaries are paid when it makes money later, often with interest or bonuses on top of their original salary agreement

• A producer can often negotiate better rates

• Few unions will agree to lower the rates for their members, but there may be exceptions

• Sometimes non-union actors, crews, writers, and directors, as well as equipment rental houses and postproduction facilities may be willing to negotiate

• Some people are willing to work for half-day rates

• Another potential area of negotiation involves product placement, in which a product is placed in such a way that it’s visible to the viewer, and integrated into the scene. A fee is paid for this service